New details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding the death of a Juneau man who fell off an 80-foot cliff with his girlfriend earlier this week.
The fatal fall into Kowee Creek killed Evan Marshall Smith, 22, and seriously injured Jamie Lyn Vonda, 18, whom police describe as Smith’s girlfriend. The Empire obtained Vonda’s name through court records and verified it with the Juneau Police Department.
JPD Chief Greg Browning said in an interview Tuesday afternoon a preliminary investigation shows the couple were evading police at the time, but officers were not chasing them on foot.
“We weren’t actively pursuing them at the time,” Browning said.
JPD received a report of a disturbance in Cedar Park Apartments off Cordova Street in Douglas around 2 a.m. Sunday from a neighbor who called the police, he said. The nature of the disturbance is still undetermined as the investigation is still ongoing, but at least three people were in the apartment at the time, including Smith and Vonda. Court documents indicate Smith lives in that apartment complex.
“When the officers got there — I guess prior to the officers getting there — the people involved in the disturbance elected to jump out the window and go out into the woods to try to keep from talking to officers,” Browning said. “There was probably alcohol involved and what have you. Being 2:30 in the morning, pitch black and raining — not a great time to go exploring in the woods right next to a cliff — and from my understanding, they just both fell down the cliff. When the officers got there, they heard the girl’s cries for help and found her and found him.”
He added, “We weren’t actively pursuing them at the time ... The officers knew that they had left the apartment, that they had gone into the woods, and the officers were just out there with their flashlights trying to find them.”
Police officials said Vonda told them in later interviews they had figured police would be called to the scene because a yet-to-be identified third person in the apartment was creating a disturbance. They had heard police outside, probably in the parking lot, and she said she agreed to evade police by climbing out of the second-story apartment’s window onto the roof and then jumping to the ground.
She had fallen onto her back, she said, and screamed in pain. Her friends dragged her on the snow further away from the apartment since she was unable to get up at first. She then saw Smith take off running into the steep, dark woods behind the complex, and she followed him.
She told police she only saw Smith running for the first five feet before darkness enveloped him. She didn’t see the cliff, she said. She was just running and then, all of a sudden, falling. She landed feet first in the ravine about 80 feet below. Police found her boyfriend’s body nearby.
“At this point, it just seems to be a tragic accident,” Browning said.
Vonda was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for multiple injuries that were non-life threatening. BRH media liaison Jim Strader said on Tuesday afternoon the woman, whom he did not identify by name, was released from BRH and transferred to Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage by Guardian Flight, a company that provides medical flights to and from Alaskan communities. Strader described Vonda as being in a stable, noncritical condition.
The police investigation has yet to determine why Smith, Vonda and the third person were evading police. Browning speculated that it “might have had something to do with minor consuming or it might have had something to do with not wanting to be investigating about an assault or something, but that’s what we’re still investigating.”
Court documents indicate Smith was on probation at the time, and that Vonda has two active criminal cases open relating to being a minor consuming alcohol. One of those is scheduled to go to trial later this month, and the arraignment in the other case is slated for Dec. 1.
Browning said whatever the reason was, it was “an unfortunate thing to have happen.”
“I feel sorry for the family members,” he said. “It’s an awfully young age to die.”
• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (47)
Add commentNew AND Conflicting details...
First I must say that I think that JPD generally does an excellent job of policing our community and other than wishing that they would catch a few more drug dealers I have never had occasion to question their work.
I am generally willing to give JPD the benefit of the doubt since I have had first hand experience with many of the officers on the force and have with very few exceptions found them have an honorable, ethical and honest approach to the work that they have to do.
This incident however, seems to have happened quite differently than they had described it to the press initially. In fact, according to what the chief now explains actually happened and the departments part in the events, either the department issued a initial statement that was patently untrue or their initial explanation of events was completely misrepresented by the Empire reporter in her initial article.
In this instance however, a person was killed and another was very seriously injured in circumstances that are at the very least highly unusual. The department was involved in some manner and has been either untruthful or not open and forthright in their description of events. It would seem to me that the proper course of action here would be to have the entire matter investigated by a independent third party and then to make the findings public. In this way, any wrong doing can be addressed and no unanswered allegations will remain to stain the integrity of an otherwise good police force.
Quite possibly JPD didn't
Quite possibly JPD didn't initially make the connection between the disturbance complaint and two people falling off a cliff. How were JPD officers to know who had been in the apartment in question? I'd feel safe in thinking that the person who answered the door for the officers didn't volunteer the information that two people had escaped out the back.
I don't know what the situation was that night, but I'd be willing to bet that not many other people in our fair city have a really clear picture either. I know it's fun to poke at the cops and talk about how they screwed up. However, let's hang back a little and let things get sorted out before we start screaming about a police coverup.
Why are some people so quick
Why are some people so quick to point fingers at everyone except the person directly responsible for the act? Nobody pushed him, he jumped on his own volition and unfortunately the consequences were dire. While I feel horrible for this young man, it was HIS decision and not that of the police department that caused his death.
Be realistic
2 people were running from the police at night into the woods with some ice and snow on the ground.
How on earth could this be JPD's fault? Should they have safety-proofed the forest?
If they waited to be questioned like everyone else, none of this would have happened. If both these people had been raised to respect themselves, other people and the law none of this would have happened.
Well said "Right Thing". As
Well said "Right Thing". As the herd thins itself, the collective IQ rachets up a notch. Sympathy? I think I will save that for a soldier killed in action on foreign soil.
Dear Ah ha.
Highly unusual? Yes. Did the unusual have anything to do with JPD? Highly unlikely. Could it be that the EMPIRE didn't give a complete story the first edition rather than the police... The same people who hiked up a nearly frozen river at 2-3 am, scaling cliffs in the pitch black night and sat with both victims until they were rescued. Think about it.
Then again... If you were to
Then again... If you were to conduct your life in such a manner so as not to cause the police to come "a-knocking" on your door in the middle of the night at the behest of your neighbors, perhaps you wouldn't have the urge to "lemming" yourself off a cliff.
Then again... Maybe the conspiracy thinkers have it right this time. Could it be the government was beating the brush with sticks trying to get the Soylent Green ingredients to run into the grist mill?
I agree, a third party needs to investigate JPD. All indicators are they are trying to eliminate the lowest common denominator in the human equation. Since we don't know who's the smartest of the bunch... are the flashing red light coming for us? Quick! Out the rear window.
I have sympathy for you,
I have sympathy for you, 2984040. And I hope that whatever your beef is with Evan, it dies with him, and that you don't continue to air it in this forum.
doesn't make sense
I am the first to applaud the excellent job JPD does for our community. I could not be more impressed with the job they do.
However, this statement from Chief Browning contradicts itself:
“We weren’t actively pursing them at the time ... The officers knew that they had left the apartment, that they had gone into the woods, and the officers were just out there with their flashlights trying to find them.”
If the officers weren't purs(u)ing them at the time, then why were they in the woods with flashlights looking for them?
I'm not pointing fingers. I'm just saying the Chief needs to choose his words better. His statement implies that JPD was indeed pursuing the subjects and as such, there is more to the story than is being revealed.
And since the death of a young person is involved, this entire case needs undying scrutiny from the public.
I will be watching the details of this case closely.
Maybe something to hide?
The people involved in the disturbance elected to jump out the window and go out into the woods to try to keep from talking to officers,” Browning said. “There was probably alcohol involved and what have you. Okay with that said, Why would you even run, if you have nothing to hide? Most people who have done acts like this ESPECIALLY after watching the TV series ''COPS" they all run cause they have something on them, such as drugs or the intent to sells, or even have just got done doing them, and there frantic. Anyway the bad decision to run, has cost someone there life and in the worst case it could have cost a police officers life as well, and if that officer thought to not have gone into those woods at the time that young girls life may have had a turn for the worst. Be thankful lil girl, the decision both of YOU made to run cost your boyfriend his life and it could have been YOUR life as well !!
heartless
There sure are some all-knowing heartless people in here.
If you run from the cops bad
If you run from the cops bad things happen to you....
JPD did exactly what they
JPD did exactly what they should have done. You get called to a disturbance and knock on the door and people bail out the window, I as a tax paying citizen expect them to walk around the place with a flashlight and look. If cops just left when no one answered the door they would not be very effective, now would they.
2 kids pulled a bone head move to not get caught doing something and it had a tragic end for them, the end. Get over the cover ups and off the wall theories. Let's let the family mourn over the loss of a child. The other child now has one heck of a lesson, I pray she learns from.
Thinking Of the Family
No matter how/why this happened, it's tragic. There's a family left behind to mourn the loss of a family member, and a young person who'll carry this for the rest of her life. My thoughts go out to the families. I know that only time will ease their burdens. Anytime a young person is lost, it's a loss to our entire community. Wishing PEACE for all involved.
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
There is a huge difference
There is a huge difference between actively pursuing and looking around with a flash light. Just saying.
Thanks JPD for what you do. My condolences to the families and I pray the young lady has learned a valuable life lesson. I wish she could have learned it in a less painful way.
RE:
Once again, I couldn't agree more with fireguy..
I thought they normally surround the perimeter when it comes to this kind of situation? At least cops with some sense would do so before knocking on a door. Esp, in a area like cedar park.
We're all going to have our own opinion, but we're all just going to STILL remain JE commenters for a reason!
I don't see as much commentary going on when the police pulled over that 04' scion on Oct 22. For a single car DUI accident without releasing his name. They said it's an on going "investigation" (right). They were sure quick to release the 18 year old's name in this investigation. That kid that was driving a deadly weapon that could of easily taken a life or lives and ya'll are going to judge this kid that has already passed on?
Smh
In the end, I still have sympathy for the family. I couldn't agree more with sheqelim . If you have beef with Evan, let it go. Don't judge his family because of him! He was 22 for Christ sakes.
Northislander, they typically
Northislander, they typically dont respond to a simple domestic with the required 20 officers needed to seal of an area. They were just responding to a domestic like they do every night. They had no idea that someone would leap out the window and disappear into the wooods
This is called "Natural Consequences."
When you make bad choices, bad things happen. Keep making bad choices and worse things happen.
Some people learn, some never learn.
Sad
Sad
Runner's fault
There was just an article about Juneau's high domestic violence levels. 55% of females have been victims. I'll bet 99% of late night calls to apartments are DV and alcohol related. Of course JPD is going to be vigilant. All those involved had extensive criminal backrounds. Live a life of crime and you should be prepared to pay the piper!
Don't beat women & abuse substances
and run from the cops at night on ice and snow through the woods like an idiot. Don't do that. No more problem. Problem solved.
For god's sakes don't spend any more public money on this ridiculous situation. Maybe there was some confusion on the reporting at the beginning.
Darwin is at work 24/7. That's the overriding fact here.
Sad
First of all i know for a fact not all of whats said in this article is true. I think we're all overlooking the fact that a person died and someone is seriously hurt. It doesnt matter if they were running from the cops, reguardless if they were no one deserves to have their life ended because of that. I hope that the families are able to cope with this tragic event and move past it in a positive way.
"not actively pursuing but looking for w/flashlights"???
which is it....what a price to pay for "minor consuming"...
OK, If I am sprinting behind
OK, If I am sprinting behind you screaming "Stop or I'll shoot!" that would be actively pursuing. Poking around in the parking lot and surrounding bushes once you find out someone bailed is just that. Poking around.
Parents lost son/parents children hurt.be respectful
I know everyone has a right to comment, but come on Really. You all want to keep bashing a young man who has lost his life and the parents and family I am sure are reading this. How shamefull ,all of you. I am a taxpayer too, but I don't think no matter what happened that these young kids deserved what happened to them. Try or no PUT yourself in the families shoes. How would you feel reading all these disrespectful and hateful comments. Really. Talk about IDIOTS!! .Please be respectful of the families feelings if you have a heart. Heartless just keep ur comments to yourself . the families dont need to be seeing these comments when they are mourning the death of their son who passed, and the other families are praying that their children heal fast or make it through it all. I hope that the families heal and make it through this tragedy , and somehow use this for positive things for our children who ARE our future!! I am sure WE have ALL made mistakes when we were young and even when we turned young adults.. Stop and think before you POST please!!I pray that all you family memebrs who are dealing with this tragedy make it through this and become stronger . NV the negative comments. Just know what is in your heart , that is all that matters. Who cares how it happened, but this is a tragedy!!
We Were Young Once
I came to Juneau just before my Junior year in high school. I was shocked at the “party hardy” attitude that was so pervasive here. However, I joined in with the best of them. This was during the 1970's when the hardest drugs readily available were mj and cocaine. Compared to what's available on the streets these days, those drugs were non-comparable. There's a big problem in our community with these vicious drugs. The teenage brain is in a stage of development that resembles insanity. Then you take these highly mind-altering, atrociously addictive drugs and tell the risk-taking teenage brain they're off limits, you've got a disaster waiting to happen. You couple this point with stricter laws and penalties, and kids are much more likely to end up on probation or in custody, and become repeat offenders. Mind you, in the 70's, I was partying with people who are still part of this community. Some became business owners, teachers, lawyers, judges, firefighters, EMT's, etc. Just because a young person is making poor choices in their teen and young adult years, doesn't mean they aren't worthy of our care and concern. I'm really surprised by the venom in these posts, considering some are surely made by people who happily sewed their wild oats back in the day. Parents from all walks of life are struggling with the alcohol and drug problems with young people in this community. That doesn't make the parents bad, or the kids bad, it's just an ongoing and growing issue in our country, and it's pushing families to the brink of destruction. I don't have the answers, but I'm sure aware of the problem. Sometimes, to become older and wiser, we must first be young and foolish. I'll be the first to admit it! PEACE to the families involved in this tragedy.
One More Thing
Before somebody reminds us this boy wasn't a "teen," but in his twenties, remember that the "teenage" brain is developing until the age of 25. Geez, there must be an awful lot of decent, productive, law-abiding parents who happen to be struggling with their own child's addiction issues, wincing and wondering, "what will my fellow Juneauites say if MY son or daughter doesn't make it home tonight?" Let's support eachother instead of tearing eachother down.
I find myself agreeing with
I find myself agreeing with Akdonn on this one. We don't always disagree.
If your "developing brain" at
If your "developing brain" at 22 years can't grasp the concept of cops at your front door and a cliff at your back door, continuing development isn't going to improve things much. But I suppose your stupidity and criminal activity is the fault of the cops. I demand JPD send no less than 15 cops on every call so they can surround everything in order to keep 20 somethings brains developing. Every parent who notices their 20 somethings brains have stopped developing should sue the police. Until parents of stupid criminal offspring stand up for their rights the cliffs of Juneau will continue to claim our future, one developing brain at a time, usually late at night.
Empire needs to close the comments section on this story.
Some of the heartless comments in here are absolutely ridiculous.
Many are from the same Fox News Viewers who post equally ridiculous things on other stories.